THE NEWCASTLE HERALD
THE Jets lost another grand final hero last night when they parted ways with home-grown talent Stuart Musialik, but there was finally some positive news on the player signing front when Olyroos trio Tarek Elrich, Adam D'Apuzzo and Ruben Zadkovich agreed in principle to two-year deals.
The A-League champions lost Joe Marston medallist Andrew Durante to Wellington Phoenix on Thursday then grand final goalscoring hero Mark Bridge to Sydney FC on Monday.
The club had been negotiating with several other off-contract players and demanded answers on all fronts yesterday.
Off-contract Jets pair Elrich and D'Apuzzo and Zadkovich, who will join the Jets from Sydney, are on Olyroos duty in Mexico and will meet with the club to finalise their agreements on their return.
But the Jets could not hold on to fellow Olyroo Musialik, who is believed to be weighing up offers from Sydney and Melbourne.
Newcastle chief executive John Tsatsimas said the club "tweaked" their offer to Musialik and extended the deadline yesterday in the hope of keeping him at the club, but it was to no avail and he confirmed late last night the midfielder would not be re-signing.
"D-day was today, and we gave him to five o'clock," Tsatsimas said.
"His agent rang up saying he wanted another 24 hours. We refused to give him that but, because it is Stuey, we said we'd give him until 9 o'clock and that's where it ends.
"Of course it's disappointing; he's a quality player. We tweaked the deal a little bit to try to accommodate him, but unfortunately he has chosen not to accept it."
Jets coach Gary van Egmond was similarly disappointed to lose Musialik, who is rated by many in the soccer fraternity as a star for Australia in years to come.
"We've obviously had some good and not-so-good news today," van Egmond said.
"It's good news in regards to Tarek and Adam staying and with Ruben Zadkovich agreeing to terms in principle, and that is looking very positive.
"Unfortunately, though, Stuart Musialik is not staying.
"He hasn't decided where he is going yet but feels he can command more money . . . there is a lot of money being bandied around at this stage.
"We wish him all the best."
The Jets have released Brazilian midfielder Denni and defender Paul Kohler and injury-plagued Steve Eagleton has retired.
The club are still in talks with Elrich's older brother Ahmad, who was Wellington's marquee signing this season, and van Egmond hoped to have an answer from the former Socceroo by the end of the week.
Defender Stephen Laybutt is also off contract, but the Jets will wait to see how he recovers from a season-ending Achilles injury before making a decision on his future.
Young goalkeeper Ben Kennedy is off contract as well but is in the process of working through some terms with the Jets.
The Newcastle lad is expected to be on board again next season.
Tsatsimas said the club would move into recruitment mode now the retention phase was complete.
Article Source http://theherald.yourguide.com.au/news/sport/soccer/jets-lose-musialik-in-squad-carveup/1195785.html
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